PART 1

Your Brain in Love

When you are newly in love, even seeing a photo of your partner induces an excited, giddy response. Your brain activity reflects this, of course. In a study of romantic couples, researchers found that seeing the beloved in a photo activated neurons in two regions of the brain: the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the caudate nucleus, a nearby structure. Both are involved with motivating you to action in pursuit of pleasure or reward. Both regions also have a great many receptors for the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin, both of which are instrumental to forming a bond between partners.

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PART 2

Sex and Health

Having sex boosts your health in significant ways.

Immunity Scientists at Wilkes University at Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, tested college students for a specific immune factor. They found that students who reported having sex more frequently had more of the factor—Immunoglobulin A—than students having sex less frequently or not at all.

Stress Relief A Scottish study found that sexually active participants reported coping better in stressful situations than their less active or abstinent counterparts. The more sexually active folks also had lower blood pressure, even during the stressful situations.

Heart Health The anecdotal tales of people dying of heart attacks during sex are not statistically significant. In fact, in a British study, men who had sex twice or more per week had a 50% lower risk of heart attack than those who had sex once or twice a month. READ MORE

Pain Relief The hormone oxytocin surges during orgasm. Oxytocin, the “love” hormone, also raises a person's pain threshold by stimulating the release of feel-good endorphins. It also promotes better sleep.

Cancer Prevention Men have a lower risk of prostate cancer when they ejaculate 5 or more times weekly, compared with those men who ejaculate only once or twice a week. Multiple studies, across many age groups, have found similar risk reduction among more sexually active men. LESS

The material on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Consult a licensed medical professional for the diagnosis and treatment of all medical conditions and before starting a new diet or exercise program. If you have a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.